U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Rhonda C. Martin, the assistant chief of staff manpower, poses for a photo at the Gray Research Center on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Sept. 11, 2025. Martin is currently the longest serving active-duty Marine. She spent over 40 years in the Marine Corps, during her first 14 years she served as an enlisted Marine and reached the rank of staff sergeant before she decided to become an officer. With her decades of service, she witnessed and experienced key changes in the structure of the Corps as it relates to women Marines. She enlisted in 1984, a time where women Marines weren’t allowed to wield rifles or qualify on the range, and she was an advocate for change throughout her time in the Corps. Coming full circle, in 2016, she witnessed women officially serve in combat roles when the policy was enacted. Martin explained that she never intended to stay in the Marine Corps for 41 years. Her goals were set for three years at a time or by duty station, but there was always an opportunity that came along which kept her from exiting the Marine Corps. “I would not be here if it weren't for the Marines, Sailors, and civilians that I have worked with over the years,” Martin said humbly. “Sharing my experiences with next generation Marines has always been a motivator to stick around. I love the Marine Corps, so it will be a bittersweet day to retire; however, I am confident that those behind me will continue to serve honorably and make us all proud.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harleigh Faulk) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Rhonda C. Martin, the assistant chief of staff manpower, poses for a photo at the Gray Research Center on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Sept. 11, 2025. Martin is currently the longest serving active-duty Marine. She spent over 40 years in the Marine Corps, during her first 14 years she served as an enlisted Marine and reached the rank of staff sergeant before she decided to become an officer. With her decades of service, she witnessed and experienced key changes in the structure of the Corps as it relates to women Marines. She enlisted in 1984, a time where women Marines weren’t allowed to wield rifles or qualify on the range, and she was an advocate for change throughout her time in the Corps. Coming full circle, in 2016, she witnessed women officially serve in combat roles when the policy was enacted. Martin explained that she never intended to stay in the Marine Corps for 41 years. Her goals were set for three years at a time or by duty station, but there was always an opportunity that came along which kept her from exiting the Marine Corps. “I would not be here if it weren't for the Marines, Sailors, and civilians that I have worked with over the years,” Martin said humbly. “Sharing my experiences with next generation Marines has always been a motivator to stick around. I love the Marine Corps, so it will be a bittersweet day to retire; however, I am confident that those behind me will continue to serve honorably and make us all proud.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harleigh Faulk)
U.S. Marine Corps students with the National Capital Regions Staff Sergeant Transition Symposium conduct sprint/jog drills during a physical training event at Butler Stadium on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Aug. 6, 2025. The Fiscal Year 25 NCR Staff Sergeant Transition Symposium is a five-day dynamic professional military education course comprised of FY25 Staff Sergeant selectees from diverse Military Occupational Specialty backgrounds and commands, aiming to shape Marines into ethical, operationally grounded SNCOs. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Braydon Rogers) - U.S. Marine Corps students with the National Capital Regions Staff Sergeant Transition Symposium conduct sprint/jog drills during a physical training event at Butler Stadium on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Aug. 6, 2025. The Fiscal Year 25 NCR Staff Sergeant Transition Symposium is a five-day dynamic professional military education course comprised of FY25 Staff Sergeant selectees from diverse Military Occupational Specialty backgrounds and commands, aiming to shape Marines into ethical, operationally grounded SNCOs. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Braydon Rogers)
Michael Lewis, a hazardous waste disposer with the Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs office, poses for a photo outside of The Clubs at Quantico on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, July 24, 2025. Lewis won Junior Civilian of the Quarter Award for his work that generated over half a million dollars in revenue from the base’s Recycling Facility Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Brandes) - Michael Lewis, a hazardous waste disposer with the Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs office, poses for a photo outside of The Clubs at Quantico on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, July 24, 2025. Lewis won Junior Civilian of the Quarter Award for his work that generated over half a million dollars in revenue from the base’s Recycling Facility Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Brandes)
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Liam D. Williamson, incoming sergeant major of Marine Corps Base Quantico, left, Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Brown, outgoing sergeant major of MCB Quantico, and Col. Jenny A. Colegate, commanding officer of MCB Quantico, stand at attention during a relief and appointment ceremony at The Clubs at Quantico on MCB Quantico, Virginia, July 8, 2025. During the ceremony Brown was relieved of his duties as sergeant major of MCB Quantico by Williams. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Brandes) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Liam D. Williamson, incoming sergeant major of Marine Corps Base Quantico, left, Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Brown, outgoing sergeant major of MCB Quantico, and Col. Jenny A. Colegate, commanding officer of MCB Quantico, stand at attention during a relief and appointment ceremony at The Clubs at Quantico on MCB Quantico, Virginia, July 8, 2025. During the ceremony Brown was relieved of his duties as sergeant major of MCB Quantico by Williams. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Brandes)
Lance Cpl. Abigail Rodriguezpabon: Quantico Marine awarded for lifesaving actions following major motor vehicle accident - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Abigail Rodriguezpabon, a Florida native and an administrative specialist with Security Battalion, poses for a portrait after being awarded an impact Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, June 20, 2025. On 8 May, Rodriguezpabon performed lifesaving actions at the scene of a serious motor vehicle accident involving several vehicles on the southbound road of Jefferson Davis Highway—Route 1; she applied training techniques she learned years ago from Marine Corps recruit training and Marine Combat Training, effectively applying a tourniquet to one of the casualties with an injured leg and bringing him to consciousness with a sternum rub. “You don’t have to be whatever military occupational specialty to save a life or even make a difference—anyone can make a difference,” she said. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Braydon Rogers)
First responders with Marine Corps Base Quantico Provost Marshal Office run to Lejeune Hall during an active shooter response exercise on MCBQ, June 11, 2025. Quantico hosted a multi-jurisdictional active shooter exercise designed to strengthen first responders capabilities in emergency response and public safety operations to improve interagency communication and coordination. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Federico Marquez) - First responders with Marine Corps Base Quantico Provost Marshal Office run to Lejeune Hall during an active shooter response exercise on MCBQ, June 11, 2025. Quantico hosted a multi-jurisdictional active shooter exercise designed to strengthen first responders capabilities in emergency response and public safety operations to improve interagency communication and coordination. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Federico Marquez)
An artist's rendition of U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Michael F. Fenton featured on a 1940's style baseball card, created June 10, 2025. Fenton was killed in action during the Battle of Okinawa, WWII, on May 7th, 1945, and is remembered for his passion for playing baseball from an early age. In 1966, Marine Corps Base Quantico Post High School dedicated their baseball field to 'Fenton Field' in honor his service and sacrifice. June 10th, 2025, Marine Corps Base Quantico's Middle School High School closes its doors after 63 years, and as the new building opens for the new school year in August, another field will follow; in 2026, the field will be rededicated to Fenton. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo Illustration by Charles Wolf) - An artist's rendition of U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Michael F. Fenton featured on a 1940's style baseball card, created June 10, 2025. Fenton was killed in action during the Battle of Okinawa, WWII, on May 7th, 1945, and is remembered for his passion for playing baseball from an early age. In 1966, Marine Corps Base Quantico Post High School dedicated their baseball field to 'Fenton Field' in honor his service and sacrifice. June 10th, 2025, Marine Corps Base Quantico's Middle School High School closes its doors after 63 years, and as the new building opens for the new school year in August, another field will follow; in 2026, the field will be rededicated to Fenton. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo Illustration by Charles Wolf)
U.S. Navy Capt. Grace L. Key, outgoing commanding officer of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Quantico, salutes Capt. Brookes Williams, incoming commanding officer of NMRTCQ, during a change of command ceremony at Harry Lee Hall on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, May 22, 2025. During the ceremony Key was relieved by Williams. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Harleigh Faulk) - U.S. Navy Capt. Grace L. Key, outgoing commanding officer of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Quantico, salutes Capt. Brookes Williams, incoming commanding officer of NMRTCQ, during a change of command ceremony at Harry Lee Hall on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, May 22, 2025. During the ceremony Key was relieved by Williams. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Harleigh Faulk)
U.S. Servicemembers pose for a group photo at a Washington National’s baseball game for the Nats on Base Summit, Washington D.C., April 25, 2025. The summit is a yearly, widely attended gathering that allows base commanders and Pentagon staff to discuss ways to leverage the Washington Nationals military programming to best support servicemembers in the national capital region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Casey Bonestroo) - U.S. Servicemembers pose for a group photo at a Washington National’s baseball game for the Nats on Base Summit, Washington D.C., April 25, 2025. The summit is a yearly, widely attended gathering that allows base commanders and Pentagon staff to discuss ways to leverage the Washington Nationals military programming to best support servicemembers in the national capital region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Casey Bonestroo)
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Ryan Salvato conducts the 22 a Day thruster and run exercise during the Training Command’s Fittest Instructor Competition at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia, April 24, 2025. The Fittest Instructor Competition determines which Marine is the most fit across the major support elements of Training Command while supplementing those competitors with increased education in aerobics, nutrition, and exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by James Frank) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Ryan Salvato conducts the 22 a Day thruster and run exercise during the Training Command’s Fittest Instructor Competition at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia, April 24, 2025. The Fittest Instructor Competition determines which Marine is the most fit across the major support elements of Training Command while supplementing those competitors with increased education in aerobics, nutrition, and exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by James Frank)